A special scholarship to honor the late Robert Coleman-Senghor has been created at Sonoma State University to support his dedication and passion for under-represented and first-generation university students.

The African American Academic Association Scholarship has been renamed the Robert Coleman-Senghor Scholarship by the committee working to develop fundraising efforts so that it can be permanently endowed.

Kim Hester-Williams, chairman of the Robert Coleman-Senghor Scholarship Committee, says "an endowed scholarship would allow for annual funds to award his scholarship in perpetuity and represents a lasting and meaningful way to remember Bob's spirit, passion and dedication to students at SSU."

Coleman-Senghor died earlier this year after having touched numerous lives during his 38 years of service to SSU as well as the local community.

"He faithfully and energetically served SSU students at every level – from undergraduate to graduate and post-graduate," said Hester-Williams. "He was well known as a dedicated champion of the rights of students and faculty alike and made unwavering efforts to improve universal access to higher education."

The scholarship will support incoming or currently enrolled Sonoma State undergraduate and graduate students in good academic standing who also demonstrate a commitment to supporting African-American culture and community.

Coleman-Senghor especially identified with these students, given his own history and background as the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. Consequently, he contributed generously and consistently to the scholarship and named the scholarship in his will, donating a large sum to sustain the fund into the future.

Those interested in making a gift in honor of Coleman-Senghor to support endowing his scholarship should contact Laurie Ogg, University Development, at (707) 664-2036.

Checks can be made out to Sonoma State University Academic Foundation (SSUAF). Please include "Robert Coleman-Senghor Scholarship" on the memo line.